Collapsible remote mechanical grasper for handling explosive devices

Abstract

A collapsible remote mechanical grasping apparatus that can be used to grasp explosive devices is provided. The collapsible remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprises a first rod and a second rod which are connected by a joint assembly. The collapsible remote mechanical grasping apparatus further includes a claw assembly pivotably connected to the second rod, a cable assembly mounted to the first rod, and a slidable locking sleeve assembly positioned around the first rod, the joint assembly, and the second rod. The cable assembly comprises a claw control lever and an actuation cable that is mechanically connected to the claw control lever and the claw assembly. Actuation of the claw control lever causes the actuation of the claw assembly. Additionally, the joint assembly allows the second rod to pivot towards the first rod when the slidable locking sleeve is retracted from the second rod and the joint assembly.

1. A remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:
 a first rod having a first end and a second end; 
 a second rod having a first end and a second end; 
 a joint assembly connected to said second end of said first rod and to said first end of said second rod; 
 a claw assembly pivotably connected to said second end of said second rod; 
 a cable assembly mounted substantially adjacent to said first end of said first rod, said cable assembly comprising:
 a claw control lever; and 
 an actuation cable, said actuation cable mechanically connected to said claw control lever and said claw assembly, actuation of said claw control lever causes the actuation of said claw assembly; and 
 
 a slidable locking sleeve assembly positioned around said first rod, said second rod, and said joint assembly; 
 whereby said joint assembly allows said second rod to pivot towards said first rod when said slidable locking sleeve assembly is retracted from said second rod and said joint assembly. 
 
   
   
     2. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first rod, said second rod, and said joint assembly has an interior channel, said interior channel of said joint assembly is in communication with said interior channel of said first rod and said interior channel of said second rod. 
   
   
     3. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said joint assembly comprises:
 a first joint fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first joint fitting connected to said second end of said first rod; 
 a joint rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said joint rod connected to said second end of said first joint fitting; and 
 a second joint fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second joint fitting connected to said second end of said joint rod and said second end of said second joint fitting connected to said first end of said second rod. 
 
   
   
     4. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said first end of said first joint fitting is positioned within said interior channel of said first rod and said second end of said second joint fitting is positioned within said interior channel of said second rod. 
   
   
     5. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said actuation cable extends through said interior cavity of each of said first rod, said joint assembly, and said second rod. 
   
   
     6. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a handle connected to said first end of said first rod. 
   
   
     7. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a portion of said handle is received into said interior channel of said first rod. 
   
   
     8. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said handle has an outer surface, disposed on said outer surface is a gripping material made from foam. 
   
   
     9. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a latch connected to said first rod, said latch being adapted to receive said second rod when said ridable locking sleeve assembly is retracted from said second rod and said joint assembly, and said second rod is positioned substantially parallel to said first rod. 
   
   
     10. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said first rod has an outer surface, said remote mechanical grasping apparatus further comprising a second handle disposed on said outer surface of said first rod substantially adjacent to said latch, said second handle being made from a foam gripping material. 
   
   
     11. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said claw assembly comprises a first portion pivotably connected to a second portion, whereby actuation of said claw control lever causes said first portion to pivot towards said second portion. 
   
   
     12. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein each of said first and second portions comprises a plurality of claw members. 
   
   
     13. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein each of said plurality of claw members has an interior surface, disposed on said interior surface is a finger grip. 
   
   
     14. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said finger grip is made form a non-conductive elastic material. 
   
   
     15. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said non-conductive elastic material is a rubber based material. 
   
   
     16. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said claw assembly is made from a non-conductive material. 
   
   
     17. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said non-conductive material is plastic. 
   
   
     18. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said non-conductive material is a polymer. 
   
   
     19. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said claw assembly is coated with a non-sparking material. 
   
   
     20. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said locking sleeve assembly comprises a locking sleeve and a compression clamp coupled to said locking sleeve. 
   
   
     21. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said claw control lever further comprises a locking switch. 
   
   
     22. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said slidable locking sleeve assembly is positioned only around said first rod, and said second rod is positioned substantially parallel to said first rod. 
   
   
     23. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second rods are substantially co-axial. 
   
   
     24. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining sleeve fixably coupled to said second rod, said retaining sleeve prevents said locking sleeve from sliding along the entire length of said second rod. 
   
   
     25. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flashlight attachment connected to said second rod, and a flashlight removably connected to said flashlight attachment. 
   
   
     26. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mirror attachment connected to said second rod or said claw assembly, and a mirror removably connected to said mirror attachment. 
   
   
     27. A remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:
 a first rod having a first end, a second end, and an interior channel extending therethrough; 
 a second rod having a first end, a second end, an interior channel extending there through; 
 a joint assembly comprising:
 a first joint fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first joint fitting connected to said second end of said first rod; 
 a joint rod having a first end and a second end, said first end of said joint rod is connected to said second end of said first joint fitting; 
 a second joint fitting having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second joint fitting connected to said second end of said joint rod and said second end of said second joint fitting connected to said first end of said second rod; and 
 an interior channel extending through said joint assembly, said interior channel of said joint assembly is in communication with said interior channel of said first rod and said interior channel of said second rod; 
 
 a claw assembly pivotably connected to said second end of said second rod; 
 a cable assembly mounted substantially adjacent to said first end of said first rod, said cable assembly comprising:
 a claw control lever; and 
 an actuation cable extending through said interior cavity of each of said first rod, said joint assembly, and said second rod, said actuation cable is mechanically connected to said claw control lever and said claw assembly such that actuation of said claw control lever causes the actuation of said claw assembly; and 
 
 a slidable locking sleeve assembly positioned around said first rod, said second rod, and said joint assembly. 
 
   
   
     28. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein said locking sleeve assembly comprises a locking sleeve and a compression clamp coupled to said locking sleeve. 
   
   
     29. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 28 , further comprising a retaining sleeve fixably coupled to said second rod, said retaining sleeve prevents said locking sleeve from sliding along the entire length of said second rod. 
   
   
     30. The remote mechanical grasping apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein said claw control lever further comprises a locking switch. 
   
   
     31. A method for deploying a remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:
 providing said remote mechanical grasping apparatus, said remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprising:
 a first rod having a first end and a second end; 
 a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod being substantially parallel to said first rod; 
 a joint assembly connected to said second end of said first rod and to said first end of said second rod; 
 a claw assembly pivotably connected to said second end of said second rod; 
 a cable assembly mounted substantially adjacent to said first end of said first rod, said cable assembly comprising:
 a claw control lever; and 
 an actuation cable, said actuation cable is mechanically connected to said claw control lever and said claw assembly such that actuation of said claw control lever causes the actuation of said claw assembly; and 
 
 a slidable locking sleeve slidably coupled to said first rod, said slidable locking sleeve comprising:
 a locking sleeve having a threaded first end; and 
 a compression clamp having a threaded interior that is adapted to engage with said threaded first end of said locking sleeve, said compression clamp being positioned between said locking sleeve and said first end of said first rod; 
 
 
 pivoting said second rod until said second rod is substantially coaxial with said first rod; 
 sliding said locking sleeve over said joint assembly and said second rod such that said locking sleeve is positioned around said first rod, said joint assembly, and said second rod; and 
 engaging said compression clamp with said locking sleeve thereby locking said first rod to said second rod. 
 
   
   
     32. The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising pivoting said claw assembly between about −90° to about 90° relative to said second rod. 
   
   
     33. The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said remote mechanical grasping apparatus further comprises a retaining sleeve fixably coupled to said second rod, said method further comprising preventing said locking sleeve from sliding along the entire length of said second rod with said retaining sleeve prior to engaging said compression clamp to said locking sleeve. 
   
   
     34. The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said remote mechanical grasping apparatus further comprises a flashlight attachment connected to said second rod, said method further comprising attaching a flashlight to said flashlight attachment. 
   
   
     35. The method according to  claim 31 , wherein said remote mechanical grasping apparatus further comprises a mirror attachment connected to said second rod or said claw assembly, said method further comprising attaching a mirror to said mirror attachment.